Transition Metal-catalyzed Cross-coupling Research Articles

Stereoselective Construction of Glycosides Enabled by Glycosyl/Glycal Metal Species

Glycosyl/glycal metal functionalization has emerged as an efficient protocol for the construction of glycosides. Benefitting from the rapid development of organometallic chemistry and transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reaction, glycosyl-metal mediated glycosylation has significantly expanded the space for glycoside synthesis recently. In this short review, we underscore the representative progress in this area, categorizing the advancements by the type of glycosyl/glycal metal species. The reaction mechanism, stereochemical control, synthetic utility, and unmet challenges are also discussed.

Electrodes, Mediators, and New Opportunities for Selectivity in Chemical Reactions

Recently, we showed that it is possible to take advantage of confinement strategies developed on microelectrode arrays to introduce selectivity into a solution phase chemical reaction. This was accomplished by controlling where in a reaction flask the reaction occurred and then manipulating that environment. This discovery opens up a series of new opportunities for synthesis where the course of a chemical reaction is controlled not by the reaction itself but rather by a remote binding event. In the talk to be given we will begin to explore these ideas along two pathways. In the first, we will examine how an electrode surface can be used to control the course of a transition metal catalyzed cross coupling reaction by its interaction with remote functionality in a substrate. Specifically, we will look at how the overall shape and charge of a molecule can be used to introduce selectivity into the reactions in a manner not possible through reagent control alone. Second, we will talk about “platform” reactions that are allowing us to begin examining routes for introducing absolute stereochemistry into electrochemical cyclization reactions. This discussion will focus on the reactions themselves, mechanistic details that allow for their optimization, and new ways to mediate the cyclization reactions so that new handles for controlling stereochemistry can be utilized. In both stories, we will focus on how the unique attributes of electrochemistry can be utilized to influence reactions of interest to the larger synthetic community.

Recent Advances in C-O Bond Cleavage of Aryl, Vinyl, and Benzylic Ethers.

Transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling with aryl halides has revolutionized the way of diversifying aromatic compounds. Aryl ethers are attractive alternatives to aromatic halides as coupling partners considering the accessibility and potential environmental benefits. The last two decades have witnessed a striking success in the field of C-O bond activation of aryl ethers, including the construction of C-C bond and C-X bond, as well as reductive deoxygenation. Here, we present a comprehensive review of C-O bond activation in the context of aryl, vinyl, and benzylic ethers. This review elaborates on the current state-of-the-art methods, categorized by different catalytic systems, including transition metal catalysis, photoredox catalysis, and other innovative approaches. The newly developed methods allow C-O bond activation under mild conditions with exceptional functional group tolerance, potentially enabling the late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals. The limitations and future perspectives of the methods are also presented.

Perfect Partners: Biocatalytic Halogenation and Metal Catalysis for Protein Bioconjugation.

Flavin-dependent halogenases (FDHs) are the most extensively researched halogenases and show great potential for biotransformation applications. These enzymes use chloride, bromide, or iodide ions as halogen donors to catalyze the oxygen-dependent halogenation of electron-rich aryl moieties, requiring stochiometric amounts of FADH2 in the process. This makes FDH-catalyzed aryl halogenation a highly selective and environmentally friendly tool for the synthesis of aryl halides. The latter in turn serve as valuable intermediates for transition metal catalyzed cross coupling reactions for C-C bond formation. Previous research made extensive use of this approach to halogenate small molecules as building blocks for late-stage functionalization by transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Based on these results, several groups have managed to expand this research to protein targets over the past two years. Their work indicates an emerging methodology for bioconjugation using late-stage biocatalytic halogenation in conjunction with biorthogonal Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. This strategy could present an attractive alternative to existing approaches due to the stability of the C-C bond bridging the generated biaryl moiety and the ease of late-stage enzymatic modification while maintaining excellent selectivity under mild conditions.

Aziridines as Versatile C(sp3) Precursors in Transition-Metal Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Strategies

Aziridines, which serve as valuable scaffolds in numerous pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules, have emerged as highly efficient C(sp3) precursors in the realm of organic chemistry. Particularly, employing aziridines as versatile electrophiles in transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling has enabled precise control over the regiochemistry in the formation of new C(sp3)-C, Si, B bonds. This review explores recent innovative aziridine cross-coupling approaches using Ni or Pd catalysis, highlighting initial findings of new mechanistic approaches and delineating distinct catalytic pathways.

One pot conversion of phenols and anilines to aldehydes and ketones exploiting α gem boryl carbanions

Functional group interconversion is an important asset in organic synthesis. Phenols/anilines being naturally abundant and the carbonyl being the most common in a wide range of bioactive molecules, an efficient conversion is of prime interest. The reported methods require transition metal catalyzed cross coupling which limits its applicability. Here we have described a method for synthesizing various aldehydes and ketones, starting from phenol and protected anilines via Csp2-O/N bond cleavage in a one-pot/stepwise manner. Our synthetic method is found to be compatible with a diverse range of phenols and anilines carrying sensitive functional groups including halides, esters, ketal, hydroxyl, alkenes, and terminal alkynes as well as the substitution on the aryl cores. A short-step synthesis of bioactive molecules and their functionalization have been executed. Starting from BINOL, a photocatalyst has been designed. Here, we have developed a transition metal-free protocol for the conversion of phenols and anilines to aldehydes and ketones.

Ni-catalyzed enantioconvergent deoxygenative reductive cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl alcohols and aryl bromides

Transition metal-catalyzed enantioconvergent cross-coupling of an alkyl precursor presents a promising method for producing enantioenriched C(sp3) molecules. Because alkyl alcohol is a ubiquitous and abundant family of feedstock in nature, the direct reductive coupling of alkyl alcohol and aryl halide enables efficient access to valuable compounds. Although several strategies have been developed to overcome the high bond dissociation energy of the C − O bond, the asymmetric pattern remains unknown. In this report, we describe the realization of an enantioconvergent deoxygenative reductive cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl alcohol (β-hydroxy ketone) and aryl bromide in the presence of an NHC activating agent. The approach can accommodate substituents of various sizes and functional groups, and its synthetic potency is demonstrated through a gram scale reaction and derivatizations into other compound families. Finally, we apply our convergent method to the efficient asymmetric synthesis of four β-aryl ketones that are natural products or bioactive compounds.

Copper-Catalyzed Enantioconvergent Radical N-Alkylation of Diverse (Hetero)aromatic Amines.

The 3d transition metal-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical cross-coupling provides a powerful tool for chiral molecule synthesis. In the classic mechanism, the bond formation relies on the interaction between nucleophile-sequestered metal complexes and radicals, limiting the nucleophile scope to sterically uncongested ones. The coupling of sterically congested nucleophiles poses a significant challenge due to difficulties in transmetalation, restricting the reaction generality. Here, we describe a probable outer-sphere nucleophilic attack mechanism that circumvents the challenging transmetalation associated with sterically congested nucleophiles. This strategy enables a general copper-catalyzed enantioconvergent radical N-alkylation of aromatic amines with secondary/tertiary alkyl halides and exhibits catalyst-controlled stereoselectivity. It accommodates diverse aromatic amines, especially bulky secondary and primary ones to deliver value-added chiral amines (>110 examples). It is expected to inspire the coupling of more nucleophiles, particularly challenging sterically congested ones, and accelerate reaction generality.

Enantioselective Synthesis of the 1,3-Dienyl-5-Alkyl-6-Oxy Motif: Method Development and Total Synthesis.

The 1,3-dienyl-5-alkyl-6-oxy motif is widely found in various types of bioactive natural products. However, present synthesis is mainly non-asymmetric which relied upon different olefination or transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions using enantioenriched precursors. Herein, based upon a newly developed enantioselective α-alkylation of conjugated polyenoic acids, a variety of 1,3-dienyl-5-alkyl-6-oxy motif (with E-configured internal olefin) was generated as the corresponding α-adducts in a highly enantioselective and diastereoselective manner. Utilizing 1,3-dienyl-5-alkyl-6-oxy motif as key intermediates, we further demonstrated their synthetic potential by expedient total syntheses of three types of natural products (glutarimide antibiotics, α-pyrone polyketides and Lupin alkaloids) within 4-7 steps.

Progress on the Transition Metal-catalyzed Cross-coupling Reaction of Thioesters

Progress on the Transition Metal-catalyzed Cross-coupling Reaction of Thioesters

Incorporation of a cyclobutyl substituent in molecules by transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

In this review, the incorporation of a cyclobutyl substituent in molecules, by transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling, is described by only considering the formation of C-C bonds. Three main strategies are used to introduce a cyclobutyl substituent in molecules by involving either electrophilic or nucleophilic cyclobutane derivatives.

Microwave-assisted Cobalt-copper Dual Catalyzed Ligand Free C-Se Cross-coupling

Background: Organoselenides are important building blocks of several biologically important molecules and natural products. Several protocols have been developed by chemists for their synthesis. Transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling is a powerful tool for this purpose in the last two decades. Various transition metal catalysts e.g. Pd, Ni, Cu, In etc. have been used for performing C-Se cross-coupling in the presence or absence of ligands. Objective: Development of a sustainable protocol for transition metal-catalyzed C-Se cross-coupling is the main objective of this research. Recently, Cobalt has been applied as a cheap and sustainable transition metal catalyst in several organic reactions. This protocol is focused on applying cobalt salt as a catalyst for performing C-Se cross-coupling for the first time. Methods: Co(acac)2 has been successfully employed for performing Se-arylations in the presence of CuI, which acts as a co-catalyst under microwave irradiation. NMP was used as solvent and KOH as a reductant in this reaction. Results: Both iodo-and bromoarenes have been used to perform C-Se cross-coupling with diaryl diselenide under this Co/Cu dual catalytic system. The reaction was successful with both electrondonating and withdrawing groups in ortho-, meta-, and para-positions in the aromatic ring of Bromo and iodoarenes. Conclusion: This is an effective protocol for the preparation of organoselenides, catalyzed by cobalt in the presence of copper. The mechanism has been established by several experimental techniques.

Microwave-accelerated Carbon-carbon and Carbon-heteroatom Bond Formation via Multi-component Reactions: A Brief Overview

Multi-Component Reactions (MCRs) have emerged as an excellent tool in organic chemistry for the synthesis of various bioactive molecules. Among these, one-pot MCRs are included, in which organic reactants react with domino in a single-step process. This has become an alternative platform for the organic chemists, because of their simple operation, less purification methods, no side product and faster reaction time. One of the important applications of the MCRs can be drawn in carbon- carbon (C-C) and carbon-heteroatom (C-X; X = N, O, S) bond formation, which is extensively used by the organic chemists to generate bioactive or useful material synthesis. Some of the key carbon- carbon bond forming reactions are Grignard, Wittig, Enolate alkylation, Aldol, Claisen condensation, Michael and more organic reactions. Alternatively, carbon-heteroatoms containing C-N, C-O, and C-S bond are also found more important and present in various heterocyclic compounds, which are of biological, pharmaceutical, and material interest. Thus, there is a clear scope for the discovery and development of cleaner reaction, faster reaction rate, atom economy and efficient one-pot synthesis for sustainable production of diverse and structurally complex organic molecules. Reactions that required hours to run completely in a conventional method can now be carried out within minutes. Thus, the application of microwave (MW) radiation in organic synthesis has become more promising considerable amount in resource-friendly and eco-friendly processes. The technique of microwaveassisted organic synthesis (MAOS) has successfully been employed in various material syntheses, such as transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling, dipolar cycloaddition reaction, biomolecule synthesis, polymer formation, and the nanoparticle synthesis. The application of the microwave-technique in carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formations via MCRs with major reported literature examples are discussed in this review.

Synthesis of a Bcl9 Alpha-Helix Mimetic for Inhibition of PPIs by a Combination of Electrooxidative Phenol Coupling and Pd-Catalyzed Cross Coupling

Teraryl-based alpha-helix mimetics have resulted in efficient inhibitors of protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Extending the concept to even longer oligoarene systems would allow for the mimicking of even larger interaction sites. We present a highly efficient synthetic modular access to quateraryl alpha-helix mimetics, in which, at first, two phenols undergo electrooxidative dehydrogenative cross-coupling. The resulting 4,4′-biphenol is then activated by conversion to nonaflates, which serve as leaving groups for iterative Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-cross-coupling reactions with suitably substituted pyridine boronic acids. This work, for the first time, demonstrates the synthetic efficiency of using both electroorganic as well as transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling in the assembly of oligoarene structures.

Recent Advances in Transition Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions Directly Promoted by Visible Light

Recent Advances in Transition Metal-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions Directly Promoted by Visible Light

Cross-Coupling of Heteroatomic Electrophiles

At the advent of cross-coupling chemistry, carbon electrophiles based on halides or pseudohalides were the only suitable electrophilic coupling partners. Almost two decades passed before the first cross-coupling reaction of heteroatom-based electrophiles was reported. Early work by Murai and Tanaka initiated investigations into silicon electrophiles. Narasaka and Johnson pioneered the way in the use of nitrogen electrophiles, while Suginome began the exploration of boron electrophiles. The chemistry reviewed within provides perspective on the use of heteroatomic electrophiles, specifically silicon-, nitrogen-, boron-, oxygen-, and phosphorus-based electrophiles in transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling. For the purposes of this review, a loose definition of cross-coupling is utilized; all reactions minimally proceed via an oxidative addition event. Although not cross-coupling in a traditional sense, we have also included catalyzed reactions that join a heteroatomic electrophile with an in situ generated nucleophile. However, for brevity, those involving hydroamination or C-H activation as a key step are largely excluded. This work includes primary references published up to and including October 2018.

Methyl Esters as Cross-Coupling Electrophiles: Direct Synthesis of Amide Bonds

Amide bond formation and transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling are two of the most frequently used chemical reactions in organic synthesis. Recently, an overlap between these two reaction families was identified when Pd and Ni catalysts were demonstrated to cleave the strong C–O bond present in esters via oxidative addition. When simple methyl and ethyl esters are used, this transformation provides a powerful alternative to classical amide bond formations, which commonly feature stoichiometric activating agents. Thus far, few redox-active catalysts have been demonstrated to activate the C(acyl)–O bond of alkyl esters, which makes it difficult to perform informed screening when a challenging reaction needs optimization. We demonstrate that Ni catalysts bearing diverse NHC, phosphine, and nitrogen-containing ligands can all be used to activate methyl esters and enable their use in direct amide bond formation.

Recent progress in transition metal catalyzed cross coupling of nitroarenes

In this review, the recent development in transition metal catalyzed cross coupling of nitroarenes was highlighted. Firstly, development of transition metal catalyzed cross coupling was simply introduced. After presenting the advantages of nitroarenes, transition metal catalyzed cross coupling using nitroarenes as electrophilic coupling partners was classified and introduced in detail. Based on different chemical bonds such as C–O, C–S, CC and C–N bonds constructed, different kinds cross coupling of nitroarenes would be highlighted and the plausible reaction mechanism would be presented if available.

Catalyst shuttling enabled by a thermoresponsive polymeric ligand: facilitating efficient cross-couplings with continuously recyclable ppm levels of palladium.

A polymeric monophosphine ligand WePhos has been synthesized and complexed with palladium(ii) acetate [Pd(OAc)2] to generate a thermoresponsive pre-catalyst that can shuttle between water and organic phases, with the change being regulated by temperature. The structure of the polymeric ligand was confirmed with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis, as well as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. This polymeric metal complex enables highly efficient Pd-catalyzed cross-couplings and tandem reactions using 50 to 500 ppm palladium, and this can facilitate reactions that are tolerant to a broad spectrum of (hetero)aryl substrates and functional groups, as demonstrated with 73 examples with up to 99% isolated yields. Notably, 97% Pd remained in the aqueous phase after 10 runs of catalyst recycling experiments, as determined via inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) measurements, indicating highly efficient catalyst transfer. Furthermore, a continuous catalyst recycling approach has been successfully developed based on flow chemistry in combination with the catalyst shuttling behavior, allowing Suzuki-Miyaura couplings to be conducted at gram-scales with as little as 10 ppm Pd loading. Given the significance of transition-metal catalyzed cross-coupling and increasing interest in sustainable chemistry, this work is an important step towards the development of a responsive catalyst, in addition to having high activity, by tuning the structures of the ligands using polymer science.

Synthesis of Aryl‐ and Heteroaryl‐Trifluoroethyl Ethers: Aims, Challenges and New Methodologies

AbstractFluorinated substances have outstanding importance in most fields of the chemical industry, from agrochemicals and material science to pharmaceutical research. Although aryl‐ and heteroaryl‐trifluoroethyl ethers have widespread applications, predominantly as drug molecules, their preparation was limited to classical synthetic methodologies until the last decade. The transition metal catalyzed cross coupling reactions offered novel synthetic approaches for the facile access of trifluoroethoxylated aromatic compounds. The aim of this review is to give a good overview on recent advances in the synthesis of aryl‐trifluoroethyl ethers from a practical point of view for synthetic organic chemists working in the field of pharmaceutical industry and academia.